GUARDRAILS Act
Latest action (26 Mar 2026): Introduced
What this bill does
S. 4216, the GUARDRAILS Act, is a short bill that would repeal a specific executive order — "Ensuring a National Policy Framework for Artificial Intelligence," issued December 11, 2025 — by declaring it to have no force or effect. It would also bar federal agencies from using any federal funds to implement, administer, enforce, or otherwise carry out that executive order.
The bill's practical effect would fall on federal agencies that might otherwise act under the executive order, since they would lose both the legal authority the order provided and any funding to carry out its directives. It could also affect states and private parties (such as AI developers or businesses) to the extent the order sought to establish a uniform national framework for AI policy that might preempt or interact with state-level AI regulation; repealing it would remove that federal framework, potentially leaving more room for states to set their own AI rules. The bill does not create any new regulatory program of its own — it is limited to nullifying the named executive order and cutting off funding for it.
The bill was introduced in the Senate on March 26, 2026, by Senator Brian Schatz along with several cosponsors, and has been referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. As an introduced bill, it would need committee consideration, floor votes in both chambers, and the President's signature (or a veto override) to become law; no further action has yet occurred.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
This bill is in the first stage of the legislative process. It was introduced into Congress on March 26, 2026. It will typically be considered by committee next before it is possibly sent on to the House or Senate as a whole.
Common questions
- What does S. 4216 do?
- S. 4216, the GUARDRAILS Act, is a short bill that would repeal a specific executive order — "Ensuring a National Policy Framework for Artificial Intelligence," issued December 11, 2025 — by declaring it to have no force or effect. It would also bar federal agencies from using any federal funds to implement, administer, enforce, or otherwise carry out that executive order. The bill's practical effect would fall on federal agencies that might otherwise act under the executive order, since they would lose both the legal authority the order provided and any funding to carry out its directives. It could also affect states and private parties (such as AI developers or businesses) to the extent the order sought to establish a uniform national framework for AI policy that might preempt or interact with state-level AI regulation; repealing it would remove that federal framework, potentially leaving more room for states to set their own AI rules. The bill does not create any new regulatory program of its own — it is limited to nullifying the named executive order and cutting off funding for it. The bill was introduced in the Senate on March 26, 2026, by Senator Brian Schatz along with several cosponsors, and has been referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. As an introduced bill, it would need committee consideration, floor votes in both chambers, and the President's signature (or a veto override) to become law; no further action has yet occurred.
- Has S. 4216 become law?
- Not yet. As of 26 Mar 2026, S. 4216 is introduced.
- Who sponsored S. 4216?
- S. 4216 was sponsored by Sen. Brian Schatz [D-HI] (Democrat-HI), with 5 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on S. 4216?
- Introduced (26 Mar 2026).
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